Manufacture of capped articles



Feb. 4, 1941. w. E. OAKEY MANUFACTURE OF CAPPED ARTICLES Filed July 19, 1937 '7 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 4, 1941.

wJE. OAKEY 2,230,845

MANUFACTURE OF CAPPED ARTICLES Filed July 19, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 4, 1941. w. E. OAKEY MANUFACTURE OF CAPPED ARTICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 19, 1937 1941- w. E. OAKEY I MANUFACTURE. OF CAPPED ARTICLES Filed July 19, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 awfzg.

Feb. 4, 1941.

w. E. OAKEY 2,230,845

MANUFACTURE OF CAPPED ARTICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 x 365 f/l":

Feb. 4, 1941. W. E .OAKEY 2,230,845

' MANUFACTURE OF CAPVPED ARTICLES Filed July 19, 1937 7 Sheejzs-Sheet 7 584 m, 382 @aaaasz Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATN QFFECE MANUFACTURE OF CAPPED ARTICLES William E. Oakey, Evanston, 111., assignor to Filshie- Lead Head Nail Company, Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application .lnly 19, 1937, Serial No. 154,375

13 Claims.

in such manufacture, and tothe application of the cap by pressure.

It is an object of my invention to provide an apparatus for producing soft metal washer-like or other masses expeditiously and economically.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for expeditiously and economically securing caps of relatively soft metal or other material'to the heads of nails, screws, bolts, screw-nails, fasteners and other elements.

It is a further object to provide means for forming caps on headed elements. employing preformed cap metal slugs, wherein provision is made for the escape of excess capping material and air.

Another object of the invention is to provide a capping machine constructed to automatically stop capping operations in the event of failure to feed apart of the article to be produced.

It is a further object to provide, in a machine of this character, mechanism for automatically stopping the machine in the event of failure to feed a mass of capping material.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a machine of this character with mechanism for automatically stopping the machine in the event of failure to feed thepart to be capped.

Another object of the invention is to provide a punch type of machine for capping fastening and other elements, wherein provision is made for'the ejection of the capped articles by a punchactuated means.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved die construction.

It is also an object to provide a simple process of making dies economically and with great precision.

A furtherobject is to provide, in a machine of this character, improved feeding mechanism for the articles to be capped.

It is a further object of thisinvention to 'provide, in a. machine of this character, improved feeding mechanism for-the capping material.

Anotherobject of the invention resides in the provision of an improved capped fastening element.

An object of the invention is to provide a new process'for manufacturing capping metal slugs.

Another object resides in a new process for manufacturing capped fasteners.

It is a further object to provide an improved method of lubricating the cap-forming dies.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

The 'invention'is illustrated in the accompany- H ing drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary section-elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention for preforming slugs of capping material, taken as indicated by the line I-I in Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section-elevation taken as indicated by the lines 11-11 in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line III-III in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation taken as indicated by the line 'IVIV in Fig. 1, showing the means for stripping the masses of capping material from the machine for producing the same.

Fig. 5 "is a fragmentary front view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a nail capping machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the machine appearing in Fig. 5, and taken as indicated by the 'line VI-VI in Fig. 8.

Fig. -7 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken 'as 'indicated'by the'line VIIVII in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View taken as indicated by the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6, "showing details of the clutch of the machine.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of part of the nail feeding mechanism, further appearing in Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary top view partly in section and partly in elevation, taken as indicated by the line XX in Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line XI--XI in Fig. 10.

Figs. 12 and 13 are fragmentary sectional plan views-of details of operation of the structure shown inFig. 10.

:Fig. 14 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section,taken as indicated by the line XIV-XIV in 'Fig. 5.

Fig. 15 is a view of the same structure but in elevation, showing anail about to be fed for the capping operation.

Fig. '16 is similar to Fig. 15 but shows the nail at an advanced stage of its feeding.

Fig. l'lis a view similar to Fig. 16 showing the nail near the completion of its feeding stroke.

Fig. 18 is a plan view similar to Fig. 14 with the nail in the position indicated in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation, taken as indicated by the line XIXXIX in Fig. 5.

Fig. 20 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, taken as indicated by the line XX-XX in Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the diecarrying index plate and associated feed, capforming and ejecting mechanism.

Fig. 22 is an enlargement of the cap forming die and punch structure appearing in Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a section-elevation taken as indicated by the line XXIIIXXIII in Fig. 21, but with the nail fed in the die.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of a fastening element having a cap made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentarylongitudinal section through the structure appearing in Fig. 24.

Fig. 26 is a fragmentaryplan view of another form of slug-forming and feeding mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken as indicated by the line XXVII- XXVII in Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken as indicated by the line XXVIII XXVIII in Fig. 26.

Fig. 29 is a View similar to modified structure.

- Figs. 30 and 31 are fragmentary sectional views of additional forms of slug-forming and feeding Fig. 28 but shows a mechanism.

The present invention has to do with the man ufacture of capped fastenings and other articles.

.a motor and/or other suitable mechanism (not shown), of any desired character. Disposed radially in one or each flange 44 of the wheel is a series of holes 45, in each of which a plunger or pin 46 is slidably received. Each hole 45 is conically countersunk at 41 at the outer periphery 48 of the Wheel. Each pin 46 has at its outer end a preferably tapered pilot 50 and adjacent its other" end carries a collar 5| which, as will appear, prevents excessive projection of the pin 46 radially outwardly by engagement of the collar with the inner side52 of the flange 44. The wheel is preferably disposed on a horizontal axis.

It is desirable for certain purposes, such as in roofing where corrugated and other roofing members are'to be fastened in place, to employ fastenings such as common nails, screw nails, fasteners (such as those secured by drawing their pliable shanks taut and bending them about purlins and other anchoring members), bolts and rivets and the like, the heads of which are encased in relativelyso'ft material of the character of lead, having the property of flowing upon the application of hammer blows or other stress to provide a seal atthe .opening through which the shank of the securing element projects. Lead is an example of such material which has been found suitable. Cappedarticles for ornamental and other purposes may be produced in accordance with the invention.

Disposed over the wheel is a kettle 54 adapted to contain a bath 55 of molten lead or other soft metal having the desired properties. The kettle '54 may be heated by any suitable means. For illustrative purposes only, there are shown a plurality of gas pipes 56 adapted to be regulated by suitable means (not shown) and to throw flame against the sides of the kettle, which is preferably made of iron, steel or other suitable material. Suitable means (not shown) may be employed to regulate the temperature of the bath to obtain best results for the operation of the machine.

The kettle has a downwardly ofiset portion 58 which extends over the top of the wheel 40 and whose bottom surface 59 has a curvature which is substantially that of the outer surface 48 of the wheel and which, in practice, has substantially a sliding engagement therewith. The projection 58 has one or more openings 60 in its bottom wall 6|, said openings being arranged to register with each opening 41 in succession, as the wheel rotates. Said openings are provided for the purpose of permitting the molten metal of the bath to escape into the openings 41 at times when said openings are annular, due to the projection of the nose or pilot 50 therein, as will be seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

- The direction of rotation of the wheel when in the illustrated relation to the associated mechanism is shown in Figs. 1 and 4 at A. There is provided a preferably stationary cam plate or other means 63 and, from the top point 64 thereof to a point which may be adjacent the horizontal level of the axis of the wheel, as at 65, has a cam surface 66 of gradually increased radius in the direction of rotation of the wheel. The inner end 61 of each pin 46 is arranged to ride along this cam surface 66. As each opening 41 passes under the holes 66, the metal liquid flows and fills the annular space formed by the wall of the opening 41 and the pilot 50 of the pin projecting therein. The motion of the wheel and the fluidity of the bath are such that sufiicient metal flows to at least completely fill the annular space. As the wheel progresses away from the kettle some metal may flow onto the outer periphery 48 of the wheel between the aforesaid opening 41 and the next succeeding one, if there is any place between the substantially sliding surfaces of the wheel and kettle to permit such flow. Because of this close fit, also, the kettle surface 59 performs a wiping action. Upon the further progress of the wheel, and preferably just in advance of the offset portion 58, there is provided a knife 68 which is stationarily mounted and which slidably contacts the outer periphery of the wheel and strips ofi such excess metal as has escaped onto the outer periphery of the wheel between consecutive openings 41. The cap metal at this point is quite soft and is easily removed.

Accordingly the portion of the outer periphery of the wheel which has progressed beyond the knife 68 is substantially free of the soft metal except for the metal which fills the annular spaces. As these portions containing the cast metal proceed, the pins 46 are riding on the cam surface 66 and because of the increasing radius of the surface 66 the pins 46 are gradually forced radially outward as may readily be observed at the left of Fig. 1. The parts'are dimensioned to enable the surface 66 to move the pins out to such an extent as to hold the cast washer or slug I clear of the outer periphery of the wheel asshown at 'B. This isshown at the horizontal first approached by the ejected slugs are preferably tapered as shown and arranged so that they engage under the ejected slugs and force them off the .pins as shown in Fig. 1. Continued turning of the wheel causes each slug to ride up the tapered surfaces of the stripper. Early in this movement the collar I abuts the inner side 52 of the wheel. At this point, the outer surfaces of the stripper prongs I3 areinclined away from. the axis of the wheel, so that astherotation of the wheel proceeds, the slugs are cammed off the pilots 59 and completely separated therefrom, the slugs so separated gravitating into a bin 89.

The walls of the holes 45 and the pilots 59 are preferably tapered as shown to facilitate the removal of the slugs therefrom by the stripper. Insofar as the finished capped article and the process of making the same are concerned, "the inner and outer peripheries of the slug could be cylindrical or any other suitable shape.

I have illustrated the wheel 40 as having :two series of slug forming recesses and associated pins, the offset 58 of the kettle 54 being correspondingly formed to supply metal for both series. There are accordingly provided two cams 63 and the stripper has additional prong means so that both series of finished slugs may be stripped simultaneously. Obviously one or any desired number of series may be provided.

The pins have a loose sliding fit in their respective bores, and after passing beyond the end 65 of the cam surface 66, and when they are near the top portions where they are again to be employed in the casting of slugs, they will slide by gravity to their radial inner positions as may be seen at the upper right of Fig. 1. any of the pins, for any reason, stick so as to remain in an outer position at this point, the pilots 59 of such pins will be engaged with the cam surface 82 of a bracket '83 stationarily mounted, said bracket having an advanced portion 84 disposed in substantially sliding engagement with the outer periphery of the wheel to positively insure the complete retraction of the pins 46 with the pilots 59 substantially flush with or slightly inward of said outer periphery.

If desired, the side 86 of the bottom 59 of the kettle first approached by the pins may be tapered toward the periphery of the wheel to insure against obstructive engagement between the pilots 59 and the offset portion 58 of the kettle, should for any reason the pilots be elevated unduly. I

The stripper I2 is preferably spaced a substantial distance from the place where the molten metal is charged into the recesses G'Lin order to give the metal ample time to harden so that the slugs will not be appreciably distorted by the force applied by the stripper "I2 in stripping the slugs from the pins 46.

Asbestos or other covering means 88 may be disposed over the kettle 54.

After the slugs Ill are stripped from the casting apparatus, they are tumbled preferably with powdered graphite. At the completion of the is shown inFigs. 5 et seq.

bore I2I of the collar II9.

Should :tumbling, .each .:slug covered by a Lfilm of graphite and is in condition to be fed into the punching machine which will bedescribedpres- .ently. The slugs so treated will be referred to hereafterby the reference character Illa.

A punching machine embodying the invention It comprises a suitable frame 95 carrying a casing'96 in which are rotatable three eccentric shafts 91, 98 and 99 and a concentric shaft I09. Each eccentric .shaft projects forwardly of the casing 98 and has a crankpin IIlI to which is secured a connecting rod I92 inwturn. connected to a reciprocal plunger or punch head I93. The heads are arranged to reciprocate in guides I04 which may be mounted on the casing 96 and support punches I05,

596 and I01, respectively.

The shaft I00 carries a plate I III provided with -a crankpin III to which is secured a connecting rod I I2 in turn secured to a plungeror head H3 reciprocal in a guide I94. The head II3 carries a feed pin or punch II5 which is employed to feed fastenings or other articles to be capped by the machine, as will appear.

The casing also rotatably carries a turret II'I arranged preferably to rotate about a horizontal axis and provided with a circumferential series of radial openings II8. In each opening (Figs. 21, 22 and 23) there is disposed a die which may be made in one or more pieces and, as illustrated, comprises two pieces H9 and I20. The piece II9 is inthe form of a collar in whose bore I2I the outside of *the finished cap is to be formed. The complemental piece I has a flange I22 against which an end of the collar II9 fits and a substantially central boss I23 which projects partway into the collar H9 and has a tight driving or force fit therein. The piece I2I] has a bore I24 which is preferably coaxial with the The free end I25 of the boss "I23 may be of any suitable configuration, which the bottom of the cap ultimately will have. Accordingly the illustrated shape is to be regarded as one of choice and not one of limitawedge I33, covered by a film I34 of graphite, as

will be seen in Figs. 24 and 25.

The two piece die structure is secured in its opening H8 in the disc or turret II! by any suitable means such as a set screw G28 (see below) so as to be easily removed and replaced. The turret has a reduced bore IISa communicating with and extending inwardly of the bottom of the opening H8 and terminating at the inner surface I35 of the peripheral flange I35a in which the'openings are formed. The series of openings in the turret II'i may be located so that the axes of the dies mounted therein are disposed in the same plane as the axes of the punches m5, I96 and Ill! and the feed ram II5. It will also be observed that the punches I95, I96 and ill! and the ram II5 may be disposed radially with respect to the turret II'I. Two or more series of dies and associated punches and rams may be provided, only one series being illustrated here for convenience.

The turret is provided with a circumferential series of slots I36 equally numerous with the turret holes and also equally spaced. Secured to any one of the eccentric shafts, such as the cocentric shaft 98, as by the crank pin I31 mounted on the. shaft flange or disc I31a is a connecting rod I38 which is also pivotally connected at I39 to a rod I40 reciprocal in a guide I4I. Pivotally mounted on the rod I40 at I43 on a lug movable in a slot in the guide adjacent the outer periphery of the turret H1 is a pawl I44 having a tooth I45 engageable selectively in the slots I36, the other end of the pawl being urged by a spring I46 toward the rod I40, so as to constantly urge the tooth I45 against the outer periphery of the turret. I

Pivotally mounted at I48 on a stationary part of the machine is a pawl I49 having a tooth I50 constantly urged by a spring I5I, associated with the opposite end I52 of the pawl, into .engagement with the outer periphery of the turret I I1. The rod I 40 extends below the end I52 of the pawl I49 and has a lug or roller I53 which projects under the pawl end I52.

The parts are arranged as they appear in Fig. 5 just at the completion of an indexing movement of the turret II1. This move ment or indexing is effected by a downward movement of the rod I49 which, due to the engagement of the pawl tooth I 45 in one of the slots I36 as shown in dotted lines at I45, moves the pawl tooth I45 to the full line position, the pawl tooth being held in the slot by virtue of its shape and that of the slot. Of course, in order for this movement to be possible, the tooth I50 must be out of any slot I36 in the turret. When the rod I40 is upraised, the lug I53 is in such position, I53, as to hold the end I52 of the lever I49 elevated as at I52 to such an extent as to retain the tooth I50 clear of the turret H1, as shown at I50. At the time that the down or working stroke of the rod I40 is to commence, the tooth I50 is in line with but removed from a slot I36, while the tooth I45 is disposed in another of said slots as shown at I 45'. As the rod I40 descends, it transmits a force to the turret through the pawl tooth I45, rotating the turret. As the rod I40 proceeds in its descent its lug I53 recedes downward and finally moves clear of the pawl end I52 as the spring I5I brings the tooth I50 into engagement with the outer periphery of the turret between successive slots I36. While the tooth I50 is so positioned, it of course cannot obstruct the rotation of the turret, which rotation proceeds until the crank pin I31is at its nadir, when the tooth I45 reaches the end of its driving stroke as shown in full lines in Fig. 5. By this time the tooth I50 will have snapped into a slot I36, as shown in Fig. 5, and this tooth retains the turret in the position shown until the tooth I45 is raised to its dotted line position as shown at I45, preparatory to the commencement of another indexing stroke. When the tooth I45 is fully raised, the tooth is retracted by the roller I53, as shown in dotted lines, to permit the tooth I45 again to drive the turret. The tooth I50 locks the turret positively in position with the punches lined up with the dies.

This escapement mechanism accordingly provides for a positive indexing of the turret and also positive means to prevent movement of the turret between indexing movements thereof. It is evident therefore that the turret cannot move except when the various plungers are clear of it. It will be observed that when the plungers are 'clear of the turret, the turret is indexed, and

when the turret is stationary the plungers perform their working operations.

The shafts 91 to I00 are interconnected as by gearing I54 shown in Fig. 6, the shaft I00 supporting a flywheel I55 (Figs. 5 and 8) geared at I56 to a motor I51. It will be observed that the shaft I00 has a slot or keyway I59 and the flywheel has a slot I60 adapted to register with the keyway I59. Slidably mounted in the slot I59 is a clutch pawl or dog I6I having a pilot I62 received in a hole I03 in the shaft I00 at an end of the slot I59. A spring I64 about the pilot and compressed between the shaft I00 and the dog I6I constantly urges the dog toward the flywheel with a view to engaging and maintaining the key in the slot I 60 to clutch the flywheel in driving relation to the shaft I00, as shown in Fig. 8.

This clutch is controlled by a trip lever I19 which is preferably. disposed at a side of the machine casing and pivotally mounted thereon at "I. The lever I10 projects forward clear of the machine for ready access to the hand of the operator, and has pivotally connected to the rear end I12 a thrust rod I13 whose upper end is pivotally connected at I15 to a clutch-release lever I16 pivoted at I11 to the casing 96 and suitably guided, as by sliding engagement with the forward one of the flywheel-retaining collars I55a. The lever I16 has a dog-retracting cam cheek I18 urged toward the shaft I 00 by a spring'l19. The spring I19 also acts through the lever I16 and rod I13 to constantly urge the front or handle end I8I (Fig. 7) of the con-v trol lever I10 downward, i. e., to clutch-release position.

The handle end I8I of the lever I10 is held elevated by a detent I82 normally held in place by a spring I83 (Fig. 5).

'While the lever I10 is held in the upraised position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cheek I18 is held clear of the pawl I6I, which establishes a driving connection between the flywheel I55 and the shaft I00. The lever I10 forward of the pivot I1I is preferably of such length and resilience that it may be deflected by the operator sidewise off the detent I82 (Fig. 7), whereupon the spring I19 becomes eifective to force the cheek I18 against the shaft 100. It will be observed from Figs. 6 and 8 that between the forward collar I55a and a lug I63 on the dog I6I there is a socket or recess I84 and that the cheek I18 has a tapered cam end I85. The cheek is normally clear of the socket or recess I84. The cam has a point I85a. so arranged that, when the cheek is forced toward the shaft I00 following tripping of the lever I16, as the shaft I00 continues to rotate, the point l85a will engage in the socket I84 and the cam surface I85 with the lug I83, whereupon said lug will ride upon the cam surface until the dog I6I is completely withdrawn from the flywheel slot I50, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, thereby stopping the drive from the flywheel so that the machine stops with the lug engaged by the cheek, and the flywheel idles. By raising the handle end of the lever I10 onto the detent I62, the cheek I18 is withdrawn to the position shown in full lines in Figs. 6 and 8, whereupon the spring I64 becomes effective to project the dog I6I into the flywheel slot I60 as soon as the flywheel has revolved sufiiciently to bring the slot into line with the dog, thus again driving the machine fromthe flywheel.

aacogses The. shaft IilI at the roar of the casing 99 (Fig. 6) has a power take-off. sprocket I chained at I81 to another sprocket I88 mounted on a shaft I89 extending forward (Fig. 19) adjacent the outer periphery of the turret I I1. A

connecting rod I90 extends from. a crank pin I9 I.

on the shaft I89 to a pin I92 on a bracket I93 secured to a reciprocal feeder and agitator I94 slotted at the top as shown at I99a and movable in guides formed on a stationary slug container I95. The. feeder tapers down transversely from the. top of its slot as at I942). The container I95 provides storage for the washer-like or other slugs which may be employed in forming the caps of the finished articles, as will appear.

Inclined downward from the container is a chute I91 having a channel I98 whose depth is at its upper limit of movement is arranged with its top 20I leading to the mouth of the chute.

I91, so that the slugs gravitate from the top 29I to the mouth and into the chute. In practice, the. container I95 is maintained sufficiently full of. slugs to enable the reciprocal member I94 to keep the chute plentifully supplied with slugs for the uninterrupted operation of the machine,

as will appear.

Secured to the shaft I89 is a combination peripheral and face cam 205 (Figs. 19 and 20). A

lever 206 is pivoted at 291 to a stationary part.

of the structure and has a follower lug 298 which is engageablewith the dwells 299 and lands 2H]- of a face cam 2II. The lug 208 is constantly urged into engagement with the face cam by r'. a spring 2I2, and it will be observed that the urged at all times to the left, referring to Fig.

19, by the spring ZI2. The left or rear end portion 2I1 of the bar 2I4 has a notch 2I8 which, when the bar 2I4 is substantially in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 19, is in a position to receive a slug from the discharge end 2I9 of the chute I91. Pivotally connected to the rear end 2|;1 of the bar 2M is a lever 229 having a notch 22I shaped to engage the rear side of a slug disposed in the notch 2I8, and constantly urged by a spring 222 toward the slug so positioned. It will be observed that the discharge end 2I9 of the chute I91 projects rearwardly to such an extent, shown at 223, as to provide a stop limiting the forward movement of the upper end 224 of the lever 220. This will explain why, with the bar 2M arranged as shown in Fig.

19, the notch 22I is spaced from the slug received in the notch H8. With the notches 22I' The mouth I99 of the chute come The structure is so designed that when the follower lug 208 of. the. lever 206 is in its rearmost position, which occurs when. the. shaft I89 has rotatedto such a position as to locate the lug 29.8.11; the dwell. 209 between adjacent face cam. lands 2), the lever 206 is in the dotted line position, as are the lever 229. and the rear end.

2I1 of. the. bar. 214. The structure is so designed that. when the bar 2I4 is in its rearmost position, the slug in the notch 2I8 is axially aligned with ahollow die II9, I29 in the turret H1. The outside diameter of.each slug is such as to enable it to be shoved without resistance into the die until. the slugis in substantial contact with the boss I23v of the inner die element I20. It will be observed that as the rearward movement of the bar 2H2 commences, the upper end. 224 of the lever 220. will remain in engagement with the stop 223 of the chute I91 until such time as the notch 22 I, in the lever 229 is engaged bythe, slug in the. notch 2I8. From that point, as the bar 2: continues. rearward, the lever 220 will move. rearward from the stop 223 and will be held by the spring 222 against the slug so as to clamp. the slug inthe. notches 22I and 2I8 between the bar 2M and lever. 229, and thereby hold the. slug in position to be engaged and thrust by a feeding member into a die in the turret II 1 as will appear presently.

Pivotally mounted as at 299 on a bracket ex.- tension 23!. is a lever 232 having a follower lug or roller 233 constantly urged by a spring 234 into engagement with the external or peripheral cam 235. It will be observed that thecam 235 has the same number of lands 236 and intervening dwells 231 as the face cam 2I-I, and the relative: positions of the parts of the two cams are such .as to enable the lever .232 to project a feeding plunger or. pin 239 preferably adjustably mounted thereon to push each slug into the waitting turret die after the slug is fed to the proper positionv by the bar 2I3.

The lever 293 is shown engaged with the far side. of the face cam, reference being had to Fig. 19, while the other lever 232' is engaged with the nearside of the external cam. Obviously these relationships may be changed in variousways without departing from the principles of the invention, and accordingly it will be understood that the arrangement shown is selected for purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation. Assuming the shaft I89 to be rotat-- ing: in the direction indicated by the arrow C in Fig. 20, it will be observed that the lever 296 is engaged with theland 2Illa at the point indicated and the lever 232 is engaged with the opposed land 2390. of the external cam. During rotation of the shaft I89 approximately 22%, the,

lever 232 remains in its withdrawn position while the lever 296 is moving rearward (to the left as seen in Fig. 19), and at the beginning of the movement of the follower 233 into the dwell 231a succeeding the land 296a the lug 298: has reached the dwell 299a succeeding the land 229a. With the parts thus arranged the bar 2M will be in its rearmost position and the slug supported thereby ready to be shoved into the adjacent die; As the follower 233 enters more deeply into the dwell 23 1a, the bar 2I 3- holds the slug supported thereby stationary since the: lug 2538 of the lever 206 is engaged with the flat surface of the dwell 209a. The plunger 239 which may be adjustably mounted on the lever 232 engages the slug 19a and. passes between the notches 2I8 and 22I, re-

leasing the slug therefrom and depositing the,

tinuation of the channel 249 in the container slug in the juxtaposed die sleeve or collar H9. When the plunger 239 is in its innermost position, the lug 298 is at about the midpoint of its travel along the dwell 289a. of the face cam 2. As the follower 233 rides up the dwell 231a toward the next land, the bar 2I4 remains stationary substantially until the pin 239 has been retracted clear of the notches 2I8 and 22I. Then the bar 2I4, due to engagement of the lug 288 with the next land 2I9b, will begin its forward movement, while the pin 239 remains stationary due to engagement of the follower 233 withthe next land 23%.

No injury to the plunger 239 could result from this 'movement even if it occurred before the plunger were clear of said notches, since in moving forward the bar 2I4 would merely recede from-the plunger 239, and the plunger would simply prevent the upper part of the lever 228 from following the bar 2M, against the action of the spring 222. The pin 239 is disposed at such a distance from the pivot 238 that its movement is substantially linear for all practical purposes, and suflicient tolerances are afforded to insure proper cooperation of the parts. As the lug 288 approaches the crest of the land 2I0b, forward movement of the bar 2 l4 continues. The pin 239 remains fully retracted until the bar 2I4 has again reached its rearmost position, recommencing' the slug feeding cycle. Abutments 2I4a and 229a on the bar 2M and lever 228 limit the approach of the lever to the bar to such an extent as to space apart the walls of the notches 2|8 and 226 slightly less than the diameter of the slugs to insure proper pressure of the lever on each slug in the notches, and slightly more than the diameter of the plunger 239 so that in the event no slug is deposited in said notches the plunger will pass between said walls and thereby avoid injury to itself and the lever.

"The levers 286 and 232 and associated cams are in properly timed relation to one another and to the turret and die operating mechanism. For each revolution of the shaft I89, four slugs may be'fed into successive dies on the turret. The'sprocket I88 is shown four times as'large as the sprocket I86, so that the turret will be indexed four times for every revolution of the shaft I89; and thus the operation of the slug feeding mechanism is maintained in properly timed relation to the indexing of the turret. The ratio of the sprockets and the number of indexings of the turret per revolution of the shaft I89 may be varied as desired.

A connecting rod 246 extends from a crank pin 245 (Fig. 6) on the shaft I89 to a container and supplier 241 of nails 248 to be capped. Thecontainer has a channel 249 to receive the shanks 248a of the nails, the nail heads 24% resting on the upper surfaces 250 at opposite sides of the channel. The container has an extension pivotally connected at 252 to a stationary chute 253 mounted as by brackets 254. The chute 253 comprises spaced walls 255 forming the sides of a channel 256 (Fig. 10) which is a con- 241. The container 241 is oscillated about the pivot 252 a complete cycle for every revolution appreciated that this maybe varied as the conditions may require or suggest. Each time. the container 241 rises, a sufficient or excessive number of nail shanks find their way into the channel 269, and when the container is in an upper position the nails gravitate into the chute 253. There are at all times on hand sumcient nails for the continued operation of the machine, the attendant being careful of course to keep the container 241 Well stocked. The container could be covered, but this is not preferred because an open container is always in condition to receive additional supplies. It is additionally advisable to take precautions against too precipitate a rise of the container 241 in order to give the nails an opportunity to pass from the container to the chute 253.

At the rear of the casing 96 (Fig. 6) a tube 268 is connected to a crank pin 26I supported by the shaft 99, and telescopically received in the tube is a rod 262 having a collar or head 263 between which and the tube 269 a spring 264 is under compression. At the opposite end of the tube the rod is provided with another collar 265 which limits the outward movement of the rod relative to the tube. The rod 262 carries at its other end a rack 266 which is meshed with a pinion 261 integral with or keyed as at 268 (Fig. 10) to a sleeve or collar 269 rotatably carried by a shaft 218. The rack 266 is disposed at all times within a saddle 21I pivotally mounted on the shaft 218 to maintain the meshed relationship irrespective of the position of the rack. A pawl 212 may be pivotally mounted as at 213 on a'ring 214 rotatable with the shaft 218, and is urged by a spring 215 into a notch 216 in the collar 269. r

The eccentricity of the crank pin 26I- may be such that for every stroke imparted thereby to the rack 266 the pinion 261 will make a complete revolution. The arrangement shown is such that the driving stroke of the rack ocours with the upward movement thereof so that, referring to Figs. 6, l0 and 11, it will be observed that the'rack 266 has substantially completed a driving stroke. During this stroke, the pinnion 261 turns the collar 269 in the direction indicated at D in these figures, driving the pawl 212 which, through its connection 213 with the ring 214, drives said ring and consequently the shaft 218. During the next half-revolution of the shaft 99, whose direction is indicated at E, the rack 266 will move downward and turn the pinion 261 one revolution in the direction opposite to that indicated at D. A pawl 211 pivoted at 218 to the casing 96 or other stationary part is urged by a spring 219 into a notch 288 in the ring 214 and is so arranged as to be snapped into said notch at the end of each driving stroke of the rack 266 and consequent revolution of the ring and shaft 219, thereby preventing retrograde movement of the shaft during the return stroke of the rack, pinion and sleeve 269. During such return, the sleeve-269 overruns the pawl 212 for one. revolution, at the end of which the rack has completed its return stroke and the pawl 212 engages in the notch 216, prepared for the next driving stroke of the rack.

p The shaft 210 is supported in bearings 285 and 286 between which the shaft has the form of a worm 281 whose thread 288 is preferably substantially square cut although other shapes may be suitable. The chute 269 has its discharge end turned forward adjacent the worm. One turned wall 289 of the chute is undercut as at 2'99, leaving a nail-head supporting bar or ledge 299a which overlies a part of the worm. The opening 299 enables the shanks of the nails supported. by said ledge to hang aslant against the adjacent side of the worm. The other turned wall 29| extends adjacent the wall 289 but more remote from the worm 281, and its ledge 29la assists the ledge 29% in supporting the heads of the nails. The inclination of the chute 253 assures the gravitating of the nails toward the worm.

The space 292 between consecutive convolutions of the worm is of a width to receive only one shank 249a. The thread, rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow D, has a rising motion adjacent the shanks and progresses the shanks toward the front of the machine, as indicated by the arrow F in Fig. 10. Adjacent the undercut 299 a corner portion of the thread facing the rear is beveled as at 293. This bevel is so located that its rotatively advance end 293a first engages a shank 249a as the shank enters the undercut 299 and leans against the worm (Fig. 12).

As the rotation of the worm proceeds, the shank gravitates forward and during this time it engages progressively forwardly located portions of the bevel surface 293, which accordingly eases the shank further into the thread groove 292 (Fig. 13). When the shank is fully deposited, which is at about the point where the trailing end 2931) of the bevel 293 leaves the shank, the shank may be still inclined. From this point forward the chute wall portion 29! approaches the vertical, Presently the wall 29! is reduced in height as at 29H) so that the forwardly progressing nails gravitate until their points rest on a floor or base bar 294 and slide forwardly therealong, supported in elevated positions by the worm and the wall portion 29| for at least part of the travel. The portion 29! may terminate at the forward end of its incline 29th and may be fastened as at 295 to a wall extension 295 secured as at 291 to the base 294.

The rear bearing 285 may comprise an arm 285a projecting up from the base 294 and slotted to receive preferably non-rotatably a bearin collar 2851') held in place as by set screw means 2525c. The front bearing 286 receivesthe journal extension 239a whose outer end is threaded and receives a nut 28Gb suitably held in place as by a set screw 2890. Thus removal and replacement of the worm are facilitated. Worms of different pitches may be employed to accommodate different sizes of articles to be capped.

With this construction a new nail is introduced and all nails progress forward a distance equal to the pitch of the worm, upon each revolution of the worm. The revolutions of the worm are intermittent, the worm being ratchet-controlled and deriving its motion from the rack 266 as has been explained. Since the portions of the worm engaging the shanks move toward the heads of the nails, bent and other malformed nails will not be progressed but rather will be raised 01f the chute by the thread of the worm and will fall on the opposite side of the worm out of harms way, the worm moving downward at said opposite side.

The wall 296 may terminate at the forward end 298 of the worm and adjacent a block 299 which may be connected to the base 294 by any suitable means 399. The front end of the worm is disposed. atlthe frontof the casing 96 and over the. turret. H1, and: the block 299: has a U.-shaped'notch 39l arranged to receive the nails discharged by theworm. The block 299 extends to such a. height above the base 294, and the notch39l is so dimensioned, that the wall of the notch 39 i is engageable with the head of each nail leaving the worm.

The base 294 has a belled guide hole 392 which is reached by the points 2490 of the shanks as they are discharged by the worm (Figs. 10, 15, 21, 22 and 23). This hole terminates downwardly in a slot or notch 393 in the bottom of the base 294. Pivoted as at 394 in the slot 393 are the jaws 395 of a clamp 306. The clamp jaws are urged together by a spring 39! and have complemental part-circular bevel countersinks 399 arranged so that when the jaws are together they provide a generally conical surface which each nail point 2480 strikes and by which the point is guided to the apex thereof, where the jaws are recessed at 399, forming, when together, a generally circular hole 3l9 of a size to permit only the extremity of the point to be projected therethrough by gravity, as shown particularlyin Fig. 15. Hence when the nails progress by the worm is completed, the point will have slidby gravity down to the bottom of the countersinks to protrude slightly through the hole 3l9. The body of the nail, due to'this last thrust by the worm, moves free'of the worm so that the nailis now supported by engagement of its head with the wall of the notch 39l and by engagement of the nail point with the closed clamp jaws 395. Upon this delivery of the nail by the worm, the worm commences its pause, and the nail feeding pin H5 descends, engaging the head of the nail, and forcing the nail down, first spreading the clamp jaws slightly as determined by the'diameter of the nail shank (Fig. 16), then more fully as determined by the diameter of the nail head (Figs. 1'7 and 18), and then placing the nail head on the bottom of the slug in the die, as will appear. The pin H5 thereafter is of course raised sufilciently to avoid interference with delivery of the next nail by the worm.

The clamp 396 and the wall of the belled hole 392 serve not only to help position the nail for the feed by the plunger H5 but also to guide thenail point into the waiting die therebelow (Figs. 21 and 23). When the feed plunger H5 is sufficiently retracted, the clamp jaws 395 are snapped together by the spring 391 to the relation shown in Figs. 9, 10, 14, 15 and 21, prepared for the feed of the next nail.

I will now describe the capping of the headed articles. It will be recalled that the machine of Fig. 1 forms slugs which, after being removed from a tumbler (not shown) in which they may receive a coat of graphite used in the tumbling operation, are deposited in successive dies in the turret I l! at any suitable point such as the station 315 (Fig. 21) before such dies reach the first slug-deforming punch or die plunger I95. After being tumbled, the slugs 19a appear substantially as shown at said station, tapered within at 19a because of the shape of the pilot 59 (Fig. 1), but this shape is immaterial as far as the capping is concerned. Accordingly, although the slug 19a shown about to be deposited in Fig. 21 has its reduced side innermost, that is purely a matter of chance as either end may first enter the die. At 3H5, for example, the slug 19a is shown with its large side innermost.

The place of deposit of the slugs may be in any punch I05, and each slug isthen indexed to the station 3I1 to receive said plunger. It will be observed that this plunger or punch has a pilot 3") (Figs. 21 and 22), shaped to pass 'slidably into the bore I24 in the boss I23 of the die member I20. The minimum diameter of the hole 10a is preferably such as to insure against shearing of any part of the slug by the pilot. However, should there be any excess slug material in the path of the pilot, it will shear the same ofi and the chip will escape through the bore I24 and the turret hole Him. The body portion 319 of the punch I 05 is of a diameter preferably only slightly exceeding that of the nail heads, and substantially smaller than the bore of the die sleeve I I9, but large enough to upset the slug upon descent of said punch. The punch is preferably sufficiently slender and resilient to yield laterally somewhat in case of any accidental axial disalinement between the punch and the bore I24, and it will be observed that the chamfered die edge I28 under such circumstances will guide the pilot 3I8 into the bore. The body portion 3I9 of the punch stops short of the top of the die boss I23 and, in cooperation with the pilot 3I8, presses the relatively soft material of which the slug is made into a cup 320 whose outer wall or skirt takes its shape from the wall of the sleeve bore I2I and whose bottom takes its shape from the top of the die boss I23, and which now has an annular base 32I, a hole 323 of substantially the same size as, and registered with, the bore I24, and a cylindrical skirt 322.

Upon retraction of the punch I05, the cup 320 might tend to be pulled out with the punch. This is guarded against by the provision of a stripper 324 secured as at 324a to the casing 96 or other suitable support. The stripper has a hole 32% of smaller diameter than the cup to prevent its rise out of the die, and of s-ufiicient size to allow the punch I05 to pass readily therethrough. The turret is now indexed to bring the next slug to a position to receive the punch I05 as just explained, the preceding slug, now in the form of the cup 320, stopping at the next station 325, where the plunger II5 feeds a headed element 248 into the waiting die and cup, the head of said element coming to rest on the base of the cup 320 therein and the shank of the element extending through the hole 323 in the cup.

After the plunger H5 is withdrawn from the turret 5 I1, the latter is indexed to bring the nail last mentioned to the next station, 321. The punch I05 at this station is of a diameter to have a sliding fit in the bore I2I of the die sleeve H9, the inner upper edge I2 id of which is preferably chamfered and the punch having sufiicient lateral yield to be guided into said bore if for any reason there should be a slight axial disalinement between said bore and punch. The free end 328 of the punch I00 has a cavity 329 from whose inner end 330 a vent and spew hole 33I extends upward and transversely to the exterior of the punch. The stroke of this punch is such that its extremity stops short of the head of the nail as seen in Fig. 22. The cavity 329 is of such volume that each slug, when pressed by the punch I06, will at lea-st fill said cavity. Should there be any excess of slug material, it will escape through the hole 33 l, which also serves as a vent for the escape of air which otherwise might be trapped in said cavity and afiect the shape of the cap to be formed. When the punch I06 is withdrawn,

desired proximity to the first die plunger or it tears any excess slug material, as indicated at 333, off. the-top of the punch material, now in the rough form of an enclosure 334, leaving a rough or broken spot at the upper part of the enclosure. The excess material may escape into a suitable bin (not shown) to be collected for reuse in the kettle 54 (Fig. 1) if desired. The casting equipment for the slugs may be so designed as to practically avoid production of slugs of excess volume. However, in order to assure that they have sufficient volume, it may be advisable to make them slightly oversize.

The turret is now indexed again, bringing the enclosure 334 to the next station, 335 to be pressed by the punch I01. This punch has a sliding fit in the bore I2I of the die sleeve H9 and is preferably capable of slight lateral give so as to be piloted by the sleeve chamfer I2Ia. into the bore I2I, should for any reason there be any disalinement therebetween. The free end 331 of this punch has a cavity 338 of any suitable shape which it may be desired finally to impart to the top of the cap to be formed. The design is such that when the punch I01 comes to rest within the bore I2I, preferably at a slightly higher point than the punch I06, the cap material will be pressed by the punch I01 to form the cap I29 smoothly crowned as. at I29a, and shown in detail in Figs. 24 and 25. Since the quantity of material with which the punch I01 has to deal can never be excessive, due to the escape provided at 33I in the punch I06, it follows that with this construction all of the caps will be substantially uniform. Since here the cap material first engages the uppermost part of the cavity wall and, as the punch I01 continues to descend, gradually lower parts of the cavity wall become engaged with the material, the air in the cavity is gradually forced downward to escape between the die collarand the outside wall of the punch I01.

Upon retraction of the punch I01, the turret is again indexed. Any suitable means may be provided for ejecting the finished articles. In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, this is done by applying a force to the point of the article and pushingtoward its cap I29 until the cap is clear of the die, as will be seen in dotted lines in Fig. 21. The ejection may be efiected at any suitable station after completion of the capping operation. Such station is preferably diametrically opposite any of the aforementioned plunger stations, as at 340, so that an ejector bar 34I (Figs. 5 and 21) suitably connected as by a bracket 34Ia. to the head I03, for example, carrying the punch I05, operates upon each descent of the punch to knock out a capped article and is retracted with the head for the next operation. The bar preferably carries a spring-pressed plunger 342 which pushes the nail points. A chute 343 may be disposed to receive the ejected articles and convey them to kegs or other containing means (not shown).

Thus it will be observed that upon each working movement of the plungers 239, I05, II5, I06, I01, and MI, which operate simultaneously, a slug is fed to the turret by the pin 239, a previously fed slug is formed into a cup by the punch I 05, a nail or other element 248 is deposited by the ram II5 into a previously formed cup, a previously deposited element is rough-capped by the punch I06, a previously rough-capped article is finish-capped by the punch I01, and a previously finished article ejected by the bar 34L With respect to each article, each of these treatments occurs in-the order given, and upon each operation a finished article is formed and discharged, emptying the dies so that they may again be loaded at the station 3I5.

If, from lack of supply or for any other reason, no slug is fed to the turret, provision is made to stop the machine. To this end, referring to Fig. 5, the bracket 34Ia carries a member 345 which may be in the form of a U-bar slidably supporting a rod 346 in its arms. The rod 346 carries an electric contact 341 which is yieldably urged by a spring 343 into engagement with an electric contact 341 carried by the bar 345. The contacts are suitably insulated, and a wire 358 may connect one of the contacts, as the contact 341, to the line as indicated at 35I. A wire 352 from the contact 341 is connected to another contact 353 carried by and insulated as at 354 from any stationary part, such as the guide I84 in which the head I83 carrying one of the capforming punches, as for example the punch I81, is reciprocal. A contact 353 is carried by and insulated as. at 355 from said head, and a wire 356 connects the contact 353' to one end 351 of a solenoid coil generally indicated at 358, the other end 359 of which is connected by a wire 368 to the line as at 35L Now it will be observed that I have just described a series circuit which is closed when the contacts 341 and 341' engage each other while the contacts 353 and 353' are engaged with each other.

The coil 358, when energized, is operative to pull upon an armature 362 which may be pivotally connected as at 363 to the detent I8I adapted to be held out by the spring I83 to support the control lever I10 in operative position as previously explained.

When the punch I85 descends, the bar 345 carries the rod 346 therewith, and the spring 348 holds the contacts 341 and 341' together until the spring pressure is overcome. The rod 346 is arranged to enter a die between the stations 3I5 and 3I1. If a slug 18a has been fed, the rod will be stopped by the slug as shown in dotted lines at 346 in Fig. 5, substantially before the end of the working stroke of the plungers. The bar 345 continues for the full stroke, however, so that for a period at the end of the working stroke, and at the beginning of the return stroke, the contacts 341 and. 341' are apart as shown in dotted lines at 341a and 341a. This separation is designed to be effective during the period of engagement of the contacts 353 and 353', which engagement is of shorter duration, commencing nearer the end of the working stroke and ceasing nearer the beginning of the return stroke. Consequently insofar as the slug feed is concerned, when a slug is fed the circuit is open and the machine continues to operate.

However, if no slug is fed, there will be nothing to obstruct the rod 346 during the working stroke, so that the contacts 341 and 341 will be interengaged when the contacts 353 and 353' kiss. This closes the solenoid circuit and immediately the solenoid pulls the armature 362 against the action of the spring I83, moving the detent I82 to its inoperative position I82, whereupon the spring I19 (Fig. 6) throws the clutch release cam cheek I18 toward the shaft I 00 for the purpose of releasing the clutch by which the machine is driven, as has been explained. These events take place in the sequence related, but the cam cheek is engaged with the shaft I88 at substantially the same moment when the solenoid circuit is closed.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 23, it will be observed that an electric contact 364 is carried as by a piece of insulation 365 preferably pivoted at 366 to insulation 361 mounted on any suitable stationary part 361a as at the bearing 286 at the front of the worm. The contact 364 is connected by a wire 368 to the wire 352 and thence to the contact 353. Another contact 364 may be carried as by the insulation 361, and a spring 369 (Fig. 23) yieldably urges the contact 364 into engagement with the contact 364', as they appear in Fig. 5. A wire 310 connects the contact 364' to the wire 358 and thence to the line at 35I. It is thus evident that I provide a series circuit including the solenoid 358, the contacts 353 and 353, and the contacts 364 and 364.

This circuit is controlled similarly to the first described circuit. It will be noted that the piece 365 has a lever arm 31I which is urged by the spring 369 into elevated position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 23, to hold the contacts 364 and 364' engaged. The arm 31I is in the path of the nail point and is so located that when a nail is fed, its point depresses the arm 31I, separating the contacts 364 and 364 before the contacts 353 and 353 kiss. As the plungers ascend, the contacts 353 and 353' separate before the receding nail feed ram II5 gives the spring 369 an opportunity to reengage the contacts 364 and 364'. Thus as long as nails continue to be fed into the dies the solenoid circuit remains open and the machine continues to operate.

In the event no nail is deposited by the ram H5, the contacts 364 and 364' will remain engaged and, as soon as the contacts 353 and 353 kiss, the solenoid circuit becomes closed and causes the clutch release cam cheek I18 (Fig. 6) to be moved by the spring I19 toward the shaft I preparatory to release of the clutch by which the machine is driven from the flywheel.

Thus it is apparent that I have provided a series-parallel combined circuit in which the pair of contacts 341, 341' is in parallel with the pair of contacts 364, 364' and each of these pairs is separately in series with the pair of contacts 353, 353', the solenoid 358 and the line 35I. When no slug is fed, the contacts 341, 341 will be together when the contacts 353, 353' kiss, energizing the solenoid. When no nail, or other element to be capped, is fed, the contacts 364, 364' will be together when the contacts 353, 353 kiss, energizing the solenoid. When both slug and nail are fed without interruption the solenoid remains unenergized and the machine operates Without interruption as long as desired.

It will be observed that the solenoid becomes energized, and because of the solenoid the cam cheek I18 is thrust against the shaft I88, only at the end of the working stroke of the plungers, when the plungers are disposed in the various dies in the turret II1. It is desirable that the machine stop when the plungers are up, clear of the turret. The clutch dog I6I is mounted on the shaft I06 in such position as to be substantially diametrically opposite the cam cheek I18 when the latter reaches its clutch-release position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, at which time the plungers are down, so'that in another half turn, when the plungers are up, the dog I6I will be retracted from the flywheel slot I68 by the cheek cam I85, as shown in dotted lines in Fig, 8, whereupon the machine stops and the flywheel idles. The solenoid is energized only for a moment, because when the plungers rise the contacts 353 and 353' become separated. The spring I83 then pulls out the armature 362 and presses the upper end of the detent, shown dotted at I82 in Fig. 5, against a side of the control or trip lever end, shown dotted at I8I in Fig. 5, where said detent remains inoperative until the machine is restarted.

The stopping of the machine will apprise the attendant of the fact that replenishment of slugs or nail blanks or both is necessary. If an in- 10 dividual slug or nail blank was not deposited, he can place them in the corresponding dies by hand since the plungers are clear. When it is desired to restart the machine, the attendant raises the end I8I of the lever I10, and thereby,

through the link I13 and lever I16 and against the action of the spring I19, retracts the cam I85 from the socket I84 of the clutch do-g I6I,

which is then thrust by the spring I64 against the side of the revolving flywheel provided with the slot I68. As soon as the slot is alined with the dog, the latter enters the slot, the clutch is thus engaged, and the machine is driven again.

The machine may be stopped at will by the operator. All he need do is strike or otherwise 25 move the end I8I of the lever I18 sidewise, as

will be understood from Fig, 7, so as to cause the lever to clear the detent I82, whereupon the spring I 19 will shift the clutch-release cheek cam I18 to a position where it is effective to retract the dog I6I from the flywheel slot I60. Here,

again, it will be observed that the dog cannot be retracted until it is adjacent the cheek, as seen in Figs. 6 and 8, and when this relation obtains, as has been explained, the plungers are up, clear of the turret dies, so that the dies and the plungers may receive proper attention.

The machine may be restarted as has been explained.

The graphite film on each slug provides ade- 40 quate lubrication for the dies and cooperating punches, and little effort is required to be ex erted by the plunger 34I to eject the capped articles. The caps of the finished articles have the film shown in exaggerated thickness at I34 in 45 Fig. 25 and the fi-lm imparts a shiny smooth surface to each cap. This film assists in maintaining the seal against entry of moisture between the cap material and the corrugated or other roofing member fastened by the article.

50 The term nail is used herein for convenience and is to be understood as connoting any blank article capable of being capped in accordance with the invention. Suitable replacements and adjustments may be made as will be apparent to 55 those skilled in the art, when it is desired to form caps of various sizes on nails of various sizes.

Figs. 26, 27 and 28 show a modifiedslugforming and feeding construction, comprising a station- 60 ary anvil 315 to which is fastened or integrally united a ledge 316. Slidably supported on the lower step 311 of the anvil is a bar 318 pivota-lly connected at 319 to a cross-head (not shown) reciprocal by any suitable means (not shown).

65 A tube 382 terminating in an attaching flange 383 secured to the ledge 318 is formed to hold preferably in columnar fashion a plurality of balls 384, or other shaped masses, of capping ma- 7088118.]. The ledge 316 has :a, notch 385 Whose wall is arcuate but less than semi-circular, and this notch is in register with the interior wall 381 of the tube. The ledge 316 has two more such notches 388 and 389, the space between the 75 notches 385 and388 being the same as that between the notches 388 and 389, and said space being equal to the stroke of the lever bar 318.

The bar 318 has a pair of bell shaped or U- shaped notches 39I and 392, the bights of which are semi-cylindrical and adapted to be juxtaposed rto the notches in the ledge 316 in such arrangement that each bight is coaxial with the juxtaposed notch in the ledge, as will be seen in full lines especially in Fig. 26.

When the bar 318 is in its fully retracted position, its notch 39I isregistered with the ledge notch 385, and the bar is yieldably held against the ledge by a spring 39'. These registered notches receive a ball 384, and it will be noted that the bar 318 is of a height substantially equal to or slightly greater than the height of the ball, which rests on the anvil 315. Now when the pivot 319 moves to the right as seen in Figs. 26 and 28, the left wall of the notch 39I pushes the ball against the right part of the notch 385, which cams the ball away, forcing the bar 318 away from the ledge 316 against the action of the spring 395. As the movement of the .pivot 319 proceeds, the ball is trapped between the side 398 of the ledge and the bight of the notch 39I and is advanced with the latter until the ledge notch 388 is reached, when the spring 395 snaps the ball into the ledge notch 388. The lever bar 318 now pauses, and during the pause a punch 3'98 descends and flattens the ball into a cup 399, whose outer surface is shaped to correspond with the wall of the arcuate notch 388 and the wall of the bell notch 39I.

Promptly after the forming of the cup 399 and while the punch 398 is still engaged with the cup, the bar 318 is retracted. The cup and punch engage the right side of the wall of the notch 391 and cam the bar 318 away from the ledge 316 against the action of the spring 395, and accordingly the bar 318 is retracted without disturbing the cup, said bar sliding under the lowermost ball in the tube 382, until the notches 385 and 39I are again registered. At this time, the notch 392 is registered with the [ledge notch 388, a ball drops in the notches 385 and 39I, and the spring 395 snaps the bar against the ledge. The bar 318 is now at the end of its return stroke, and the punch 398 is raised clear, a suitable actuating means, such as that for the punch I05, being provided therefor.

Upon the next working stroke of the bar 318, the ball in the notches 385 and 39I is carried to the right in the notch 39I as explained above, and at the same time the cup 399 is similarly forced out of the ledge notch 388 and moves in the notch 392 to the right with the bar 318. At the end of this stroke, the ball is deposited in the ledge notch 388, and the cup 399 is deposited in the ledge notch 389 over the belled or flared hole 400 in the anvil 315, the corners 40I of the cup holding the cup on the surface 311 of the anvil 315. The hole 400 is preferably round and of the same diameter as the notches aforesaid. Now upon descent of the punch I05, the corners 48I are pressed inward by the bell mouth of the hole 498, and the resulting cup deposited in the waiting turret die at the station 482, and the punch squeezes the cup into the shape shown at 329, the pilot 3I8 punching a hole in the bottom of the cup. The die bore is preferably flared at its bottom to facilitate escape of chips. The bar 318 is held in place by a guide 40 3 carried as by the support for the punch I85. After the ascent of the punch I05, the turret is indexed and the bar 318 is retracted as before. To prevent pulling out of the cup 320 upon retraction of the punch I05, I provide a stripper which may comprise spring pressed jaws 403 pivoted as at 433 in a slot 405 in the anvil 315, the jaws spreading upon descent of the cup 399 and punch I85 .and then snapping together to prevent withdrawal of the cup 320 while permitting return of the punch.

Thus upon every working stroke of the bar 378 a ball is transformed into a cup-like slug and the latter deposited and perforated in the turret which is then indexed to permit the ram M5 to insert a nail 248, and the cap forming punches I06 and I! to operate, as has been explained.

Fig. 29 shows a somewhat modified construction differing from that of Figs. 26, 2'7 and 28 substantially only in that the anvil 315a has another hole 405 disposed in coaxial relation to the ledge notch 388 and a punch 39% has a pilot 401 to form from each ball 38 at one operation a slug in the shape of .a washer 468. This washer is advanced in the manner above explained to the station 402, where the punch m5 operates as before.

In the form shown in Fig. 30, a stationary tube MEI supports a rod or wire 4H of capping material of the cross-sectional shape of the slugs to be used. The rod is alined with successive dies upon each indexing of the turret H1, and upon each alinement of .the rod with a die, the rod is fed the thickness of a slug into the die as shown. Then this material is sheared off as the turret turns, forming the slug 412 which thereafter receives the aforesaid succession of plungers for forming capped articles, suitable stripping means, such as the stripper 324, being employed.

In Fig. 31, a channel M4 carries preformed slugs M2 in a series, and if desired may have a cover 4I 3a. When each slug has progressed to the station M5, it is pushed by a plunger M6 through an opening M7 in the web of the channel and into the waiting die in the turret Ill. This slug then receives the above-described succession of plungers for forming the capped article, suitable stripping means, such as the stripper 324, being employed.

The collar H9 of each die has outer inclined surfaces 426 and 421, and for each die the turret has a screw 428 whose point is substantially smaller than the height of each surface and arranged to engage each surface, depending on which is facing the outer end of the turret die hole H8, to exert a camming force serving to press the die inward toward the bottom of said hole. The surfaces may be formed by filing, milling or in any suitable way, and they could conveniently be the sides of a circumferential V- groove.

Each die may be slipped into the turret and may be removed from the turret by loosening the set screw and pushing on the bottom of the die member I20 radially outward with a wire or other means inserted in the associated hole I [8a in the turret.

The collar I I9 is reversibly assembled with the die member i220, and is preferably of less length than the boss 23 so that when the collar is reversed no portion of the worn interior thereof willappear above said boss.

An important feature of my invention lies in the two-piece die construction. To make the die in one piece would involve the difilcult task of machining a groove or making a sharp corner at the juncture of the boss and collar upstanding therefrom. In accordance with my invention the boss is very easily rabbeted at It! or it may be chamfered or given any other desired shape, byv

machining or otherwise. Both the inside of the collar and the exposed portions of the top of the die boss I23 may be separately and easily polished to the desired degree. After they are suitably hardened they are telescoped together preferably with a force fit. In this way the juncture of the inner surface of the collar with the boss I23 may be as sharp and the adjacent surfaces as uniformly and'smoothly polished as desired. The parts may be separated to reverse the collar for placing in service the other end thereof. Thus, in the event one part becomes defective, only that part, and not the whole die, need be replaced.

It will be observed that with my invention the cap metal or other material is formed into a cup in the very die in which it is pressed into a cap about the head of the nail. The cup-forming punch may be adjustably supported to vary the thickness of the bottoms of the cups, and this thickness will determine the thickness of the remainder of the cap about said head since, as has been explained, the amount of cap material for each cap is fixed. Accordingly the thickness of all parts of the cap may be substantially uniform if desired.

The nail head is automatically rotated in proper relation to the cap material by virtue of the fit of the skirt of the cup about said head. The form of cap may be varied. For certain fastenings such as those used in connection with roofing construction, to provide an adequate seal it is desirable that the cap completely cover the head and part of the shank, as illustrated.

Certain of the nails illustrated have lugs 248d which serve to interlock with the cap and prevent the latter from becoming loose in service. However, the invention is fully applicable to other shapes of heads as is obvious to those skilled in the art.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that I have provided efficient means for expeditiously and economically producing slugs, either by casting or by pressing, and capped articles by pressing. The various mechanisms employed are substantial, compact and rugged, and produce capped articles finished in appearance and highly efiicacious in use.

I am aware that many changes may be made and details of construction varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of my invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for applying caps to the heads of headed elements, comprising a turret mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, said turret including a peripheral flange having a circumferential series of substantially radial holes therethrough, a cup-like die mounted in each hole and having a reduced bore therethrough communicating with said hole to receive the shank of an element, means for indexing said turret through the angle between successive dies, a plunger for depositing a soft metal mass in the die, a second plunger engageable in each die when the die has been indexed past the first plunger, and formed to cooperate with said die cup-shaped mass and rests on the base of the cup-shaped mass, a fourth plunger cooperative with said die and having a cavity in its end and disposed, when said die has been indexed past said third plunger, to press the peripheral wall of the cup-shaped mass into a cover for the top of the element head, said fourth plunger having a relatively small vent extending transversely therethrough to the upper part of the cavity for the escape of air and excess cap material and stripping such excess from the cap upon separation of the fourth plunger from the die, a fifth plunger cooperative with said die and having an end cavity and disposed, When said die has been indexed past the fourth plunger, to press the cap material into final crown shape, means movable with one of said plungers and disposed within the flange beyond the fifth plunger for ejecting the capped element outwardly from the die when the turret has been indexed to such an extent that the element is substantially inverted, means including a member engageable in a die between the first and second plungers and operative in the absenceof a mass from the last mentioned die to stop the turret and plungers with the plungers clear of the turret, and means for stopping the turret and plungers with the plungers clear of the turret upon the failure of the third plunger to feed an element.

2. In an apparatus for applying lead or other soft metal caps to nails and other elements, a cup-like die adapted to support therein a soft metal mass and having a hole in its base, a punch of substantially less diameter than the interior of the die, means for effecting relative approach of said die and punch to impart a cup shape to the mass, means for depositing a headed element, shank foremost, in the cup-like mass and die, and a punch shaped to have a sliding telescopic fit in said die for pressing the skirt of the cup-like mass into a cap covering the head of the element.

3. In an apparatus for applying lead or other soft metal caps to nails and other elements, a cup-like die adapted to support a. soft metal mass and having a hole in its base, a punch of substantially less diameter than the interior of the die, means for effecting relative approach of said die and punch to impart a cup shape to the mass, means for depositing a headed element, shank foremost, in the cup-like mass and die, a punch shaped to have a sliding telescopic fit in said die for pressing the skirt of the cup-like mass into a cap covering the head of the element, the second punch having a vent for the escape of air and excess cap material, said vent being disposed so that such excess will be torn from said cap upon separation of said second punch and die, and a third punch having a telescopic fit in said die and formed to press said cap into finished shape.

4. A capping apparatus of the class described, comprising a support for dies, means for supplying cap material slugs to said dies, said means comprising a pair of jaws resiliently urged together and being separable to provide therebetween a recess adapted to accommodate a slug, a chute containing a row of slugs and having its exit adjacent said jaws, means for moving said jaws to locate said recess in position to receive a slug and then to locate the slug in line with a die, means for holding said jaws apart to receive the slug and for thereafter releasing said jaws to enable said jaws to resiliently clamp the slug therebetween, reciprocal means operative to thrust the slug'from said jaws into the die, and means for indexing said support and reciprocating said jaws and thrust means in timed relation to feed slugs to successive dies.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, an inclined chute supporting a row of headed elements, a worm at the discharge end of said chute and having its convolutions spaced apart so as to accommodate the shanks of individual elements in one of the spaces, means for rotating the worm in such direction that the portions thereof adjacent the shanks move toward the heads of the elements, and means engageable with the free ends of said shanks for supporting the elements in the spaces while theelements are progressed by the worm.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a support for headed elements to be capped, a conveyor worm having its convolutions spaced apart so as to accommodate the shanks of in-- dividual elements in successive spaces, said support having an exit arranged to discharge the elements one by one into a worm space, means for intermittently rotating said worm sufficiently to advance one element and receive another element during each movement of the worm, a turret having capping dies, means for indexing said turret in timed relation to the intermittent drive of said worm, and means for depositing into successive turret dies the elements discharged by said worm.

7. A capping apparatus of the class described, comprising a turret having dies, means for feeding slugs to successive dies, a reciprocal punch for operating on each slug, a common drive for the turret, feeding means and punch, a clutch controlling said drive, electric clutch-release means including a circuit and operative when the circuit is closed, said circuit comprising a pair of separable contacts yieldably' held together, and separable by engagement of a member supporting one of said contacts with a slug in a die at the close of the working stroke of said punch so as to separate said contacts, said contacts being reengageable during the return of the punch, a pair of contacts disposed to kiss after the first contacts are separated, and to separate before the first contacts are reengaged, so that said clutch-release means is inoperative during uninterrupted feed of the slugs, said first contacts remaining interengaged without interruption in the event no slug was deposited in the die so that when the second contacts kiss, the circuit is closed, said clutch-release means thereupon operating to release the clutch.

8. A capping apparatus of the class described, comprising a turret having dies, a reciprocal plunger for feeding articles to be capped to successive dies, a common drive for said turret and plunger, a clutch controlling said drive, electric clutch-release means including a circuit and 0perative when the circuit is closed, said circuit comprising separable contacts yieldably held together and separable by engagement of a member supporting one of said contacts with an article in a die at the close of the working stroke of said plunger, so as to separate said contacts, said contacts being reengageable during the return of the punch, a pair of contacts disposed to kiss after the first contacts are separated, and to be separated before the first contacts are reengaged, so that said clutch-release means is inoperative during uninterrupted feed of the articles, said first contacts remaining interengaged without interruption in the event no article was deposited in the die so that when, the second contacts kiss the circuit is closed and said clutchrelease means operated.

9. A capping machine of the class described, comprising a support having dies, means for feeding slugs to successive dies, a reciprocal punch for operating on each slug in a die, a reciprocal plunger for feeding articles to be capped to successive slug-containing dies, a common drive for said support, slug-feeding means, punch and plunger, a clutch controlling said drive, elec tric clutch-release means, and a pair of circuits independently controlling said clutch-release means, one circuit comprising contacts yieldably held together and separable by engagement of a member supporting one of said contacts with a slug in a die at the close of the working stroke of said punch and at the start of the return stroke of said punch,.the other circuit having a pair of contacts cooperating likewise with an article in a slug-containing die, a pair of contacts in each circuit and disposed to kiss and separate while the aforesaid contacts of each circuit are apart, so that said clutch-release means is inoperative during uninterrupted feed of the slugs and of the articles, said first contacts of each circuit remaining engaged without interruption in the event no slug or no article is deposited, so that when the second contacts of each circuit kiss, one or the other circuit is closed, operating said clutch-release means.

10. A capping machine of the class described, comprising a support having dies, slug-feeding means therefor comprising a container for balls or other masses of capping material of substantially uniform valume, means movable intermittently for receiving the masses one by one from the container, means for pressing each received mass into a cap-forming slug during a pause of the second means following the receipt of said mass, said second means being operative to move the slug to a position adjacent a die, means for moving the slug from the last-mentioned position into the die during the pause of said second means following the last-mentioned movement thereof, means for indexing said support in unison with said second means, and means for operating the pressing means in unison with the slug-moving means.

11. An apparatus for applying caps to the heads of headed elements, comprising a turret having a circumferential series of cup-like dies, means for indexing said turret through the angle between successive dies, a plunger for depositing a soft metal mass in a die, a second plunger engageable in each die when the die has been indexed past the first plunger, and formed to cooperate with said die in pressing the mass into cup shape, a third plunger disposed, when the turret has been indexed to locate said die past the second plunger, to deposit a headed element into the die until the head of the element is in the cup-shaped mass and rests on the base of the cup-shaped mass, a fourth plunger cooperative with said die and having a cavity in its end and disposed, when said die has been indexed past said third plunger, to press the peripheral wall of the cup-shaped mass into a cover for the top of the element head, said fourth plunger having a relatively small vent extending transversely therethrough to the upper part of the cavity for the escape of air and excess cap material and stripping such excess-from the cap upon separation of the fourth plunger from the die, a fifth plunger cooperative with said die and having an end cavity and disposed, when said die has been indexed past the fourth plunger, to press the cap material into final crown shape, means movable with one of said plungers and disposed with-.

in the flange beyond the fifth plunger for ejecting the capped element outwardly from the die when the turret has been indexed to such an extent that the element is substantially inverted, means including a member engageable in a die between the first and second plungers and operative in the absence of a mass from the last mentioned die to stop the turret and plungers with the plungers clear of the turret, and means for stopping the turret and plungers with the plungers clear of the turret upon the failure of the third plunger to feed an element.

12. In an apparatus for applying lead or other soft met-a1 caps to nails and other elements, a cup-like die adapted to support therein a soft metal mass and having a hole in its base, a punch of substantially less diameter than the interior of the die, means for effecting relative approach of said die and punch to impart a cup shape to the mass, means for depositing a headed element in the cup-like mass and die, and a punch shaped to have a sliding telescopic fit in said die for pressing the skirt of the cup-like mass into a cap covering the head of the element.

13. In an apparatus for applying lead or other soft metal caps to nails and other elements, a cup-like die adapted to support a soft metal mass and having a hole in its base, a punch of substantially less diameter than the interior of the die, means for effecting relative approach of said die and punch to impart a cup shape to the mass, means for depositing a headed element in the cup-like mass and die, a punch shaped to have a sliding telescopic fit in said die for pressing the skirt of the cup-like mass into a cap covering the head of the element, the second punch having a vent for the escape of air and excess cap material, said vent being disposed so that such excess will be torn from said cap upon separation of said second punch and die, and a third punch having a telescopic fit in said die and formed to press said cap into finished shape.

WILLIAM E. OAKEY. 

